-->Skin Infections in Health Clubs: A Cautionary Tale
It’s a fact of life: bacteria, fungi, and other skin afflictions grow in warm, wet environments. One of the most perfect climates is a sweaty workout complex. From high end health clubs to University training centers, skin infections are everywhere.
Laura Dixon pointed me towards this article. I was shocked at what I read from Jack Foley, athletic trainer and director of Sports Medicine at Lehigh University.
At any given time, one person in three suffers from a skin disease that can be spread to others, even in the incubation stage.
Ick.
This means the run of the mill stuff like jock itch, athlete’s foot, and fungal infections (plantar’s warts), but can also mean more serious ailments like impetigo, herpes, ring worms, or even MRSA (the “flesh eating” infection).
I learned this the hard way. I didn’t bother with flip flops in the first health club I worked at and developed plantar’s warts from the showers. The buggers were tenacious and resulted in finally having surgery to remove them. After two weeks on crutches, I sure wasn’t ready to go through that again.
I own a Pilates studio and we are scrupulous about cleanliness. Socks or shoes must always be worn, equipment is cleaned after every workout session. Thoroughly. I thought we might have been exposed to “swine flu” a year ago and was in my studio at 5 am with a bucket of bleach making sure everything was sanitized. We have antibacterial gels available and I use them every time I sneeze. Just in case.
How to Stay Clean
The study suggests the following measures:
1. Wash hands thoroughly.
2. Always clean equipment before you use it and after.
3. Use antibacterial soap.
4. Take thorough showers immediately after a workout.
5. Never ever be in bare feet.
6. Always have a fresh change of socks and underwear.
7. Bring your own workout mat to the gym and clean it before you leave.
Of course when you’re evaluating whether or not to join a health club or other workout facility make sure to look at the level of cleanliness. This will go a long way too. What do you think about health club cleanliness? Will you ever go barefoot in a gym again?
Thanks Laura for the suggestion.
Lisa
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excellent info and see when I used to go to the gym I’d be fully dressed in sauna and ppl would be looking at me all weird…sorry I dont want to get any ‘nasties’ LOL
I’d never use the whirlpool or showers there either, I’d head straight for home where I know it’s clean :)
I can speak from first-hand experience that you don’t want one of those skin infections you mentioned, Lisa. In my case, I picked up a staph infection at random earlier this summer and was hospitalized for a week on intravenous antibiotics. Thank goodness it wasn’t the MRSA variety. Thanks for spreading the awareness.
Tara and Joe thanks for your comments. Joe I didn’t know that’s what happened to you! Yikes! Hope you’re feeling better now. L–
I’m fairly diligent about cleaning equipment before and after use. Will definitely consider some of the other suggestions, like bringing my own mat.
I was at a well respected yoga studio in the Boston area and remarked that the mat’s seemed a bit slippery to the yoga instructor. She said, “Oh that’s because they had their bi-annual cleaning this weekend.” Bi-annual, every six months? WTF? I then continued with the class and notice the person in front of me had a plantars wart on her naked foot on the newly cleaned mat. UGH
I never went back … definitely bring your own mat.
L–
Lisa, this is awesome! For those who don’t believe that the horrid infections can happen, I will appeal to vanity! If the mat or equipment you are using is not clean, you can pick up acne bacteria *very* easily, leading to a breakout.
and acne is always bad. :-)